The 2012 L’Amour du Vin wine auction and dinner held recently at the Knoxville Museum of Art was a world-class event, featuring fabulous food from guest chef Jeff Carter of Dancing Bear Lodge and Restaurant in Townsend, and artisans Dustin Busby, Adam Spannus and Michael Sullivan from Blackberry Farm, a Relais and Chateaux property in Walland. Guest vintner Samantha Rudd from Oakville, Calif.,paired each of the five dinner courses with wines from her family’s Rudd Oakville Estate Winery.

Kreis Beall, representing Blackberry Farm, introduced the guest chef. Andy Chabot. Blackberry Farm sommelier and food and beverage manager, introduced the guest vintner. Kenny Koda, Rudd Winery Director, introduced the dinner wines. Chaired by Karen Gilbertson and hosted by The Guild of the KMA, the 2012 event broke all previous records. Lexus of Knoxville was presenting sponsor. Additional upper level sponsors included Blackberry Farm, Bistro by the Tracks, Natalie and Jim Haslam, Ann and Steve Bailey, Bandit Lites, Joanne and Mark Hazelwood, Lisa and David Reath, and Tennova Healthcare. An exclusive dinner for upper level sponsors on the Thursday evening before the dinner and auction and an artists’ luncheon on the following Friday afternoon were held at Blackberry Farm.

The event on Saturday evening began with a wine tasting and silent auction under a tent on the plaza of the KMA. Dinner and live auction followed in the Great Hall. Bandit Lites’ exquisite lighting set the mood for the evening and turned the tent and Great Hall into a magical setting. Colored lights highlighting the new sculptures in the KMA’s South Garden thrilled the guests. Artist Hunt Slonem, who traveled from New York City to attend the event, created an oil painting offered as an auction lot, which brought in $10,250. Other top lots included a three-day trip for four to Rudd Oakville Estates Winery; a one-week vacation at Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Dinner for five couples in the home of Mary Celeste and Sam Beall at Blackberry Farm; one-year lease of the 2013 Lexus GS 350; a week for two in Italy overlooking Lake Lugano; six bottles of 1990 Château Lafite-Rothschild Pauilac 1st Cru Classé; and two magnum bottles of Colgin 2005 “IX” Estate Napa Valley Red Wines.

n The Helen Ross McNabb Center recently presented Will J. (Bill) Pugh and his late wife, Henrietta, with the 2012 Spirit Award at the Knoxville Convention Center. UT President Emeritus Joe Johnson served as Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Brent Hall of Concord United Methodist Church opened the evening with an invocation. Longtime associates Joe Mont McAfee, Dale Keasling, and 0shared how much Bill and Henrietta have enriched our community. Mark Pugh, Bill’s son, provided a comical and sentimental glimpse into the Pughs’ family life. Andy Black, Helen Ross McNabb Center CEO president, presented the award.

The evening included a reception with a full silent auction to benefit the Helen Ross McNabb Center. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres while listening to the music of the Dogwood String Duo. Dinner following the reception treated attendees to a southern chopped salad, foothills chicken modenese with Benton’s southern prosciutto and gruyere cheese garnished with asparagus and topped with sage demi. Desserts included a petite selection of caramel chocolate brownie, key lime bite, and New York cheesecake.

Bill Pugh, an established certified public accountant and founder and chairman of Pugh Co., served on the Helen Ross McNabb Center and Foundation boards of directors and has participated in every fundraising campaign since 1991 to benefit individuals experiencing mental illness, addiction, and social challenges.

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